Sens. Donna Mercado Kim, David Ige and Jill Tokuda.

Hawaii senators unanimously passed a $23.8 billion two-year state budget Tuesday, touting investments in IT, unfunded liabilities and education. 

Sen. David Ige, who heads the money committee, said the budget was the result of “open, collaborative work.”

He highlighted the $217 million being put toward paying for the health and retirement benefits promised to thousands of county and state workers. Hawaii’s unfunded liabilities total more than $24 billion, and it was a priority this session to tackle the problem before credit ratings dip.

Sen. Michelle Kidani underscored the $3 billion capital improvement project budget, which she said will allow for critical investments in infrastructure and new facilities.

Sen. Jill Tokuda said there are provisos in the budget to ensure the state holds its Department of Education accountable.

Sen. Sam Slom, the chamber’s lone Republican, said the budget is going in the wrong direction. 

“Government doesn’t have any money; it only has what it takes from you,” he said. 

Slom presented a check to the taxpayers for $118,037, the total amount he has saved taxpayers by not using a single penny of his legislative allowance for the past 17 years.

The House passed the state budget bill earlier Tuesday morning. So with both chambers passing the bill, the state budget is now sent to Gov. Neil Abercrombie.

There budget doesn’t include much money for one of his key initiatives, a publicly funded early education system. Some lawmakers said that the state couldn’t afford it in large part due to new union contract agreements coming in higher than expected.

— Nathan Eagle